Known as Britain's largest professional cycling race, the Tour of Britain's history dates as far back as the Second World War.

The first official race came under the guise of the Victory Cycling Marathon in 1945 to celebrate the end of the war. The route was divided into five stages on a 745km route from Brighton to Glasgow.

Its 54-year existence came to a head in 1999 due to safety concerns and a five-year hiatus ensued.

In 2004 it was relaunched, thanks to new sponsorship, and 96 riders lined up in the north-west of England for a race which also visited Wales.

We take a look back at that historic five-day race in early September 2004, in what would be turn out to be a memorable one for Colombian Mauricio Ardila.

Day 1:

The opening stage began with a 207km route of Manchester, with Italian Stefano Zanini winning the stage to take up an early lead.

Day 2:

Colombian Mauricio Ardiila would show why he would be one of the cyclists to beat as he won the second stage from Leeds to Sheffield in a time of 4 hours 26 minutes and 26 seconds.

Day 3:

Cyclists continued their route towards the south of England on a 192km leg from Bakewell to Nottingham. Ardilia's Tour de France rival Tom Boonen of Belgium won the third stage in a thrilling sprint finish to the line.

Day 4:

Ardilia fought back in Wales as he won the penultimate stage in 3 hours 32 minutes and 37 seconds to open up a 17-second lead as the riders headed towards London.

Day 5:

Crowds of up to 100,000 lined the streets of the capital to see the relaunched Tour of Britain come to a thrilling climax.

With only three laps remaining, Bradley Wiggins failed to hold onto his lead with Italian Enrico Degano pipping the Brit on the line.

But it would be Ardilia who would take home the yellow jersey, despite the best efforts of Julian Dean of New Zealand who finished 12 seconds behind the Colombian overall.